Columns & Editorials

It’s been a surreal couple of weeks along the Gulf Coast. We have had the Coast Guard helicopter crash that killed 4 servicemen and just last week we had a young man who committed suicide. Even though the Coast Guard accident was tragic the suicide really shook me up. I have so many questions. Did someone try and reach him? Did he know Jesus, really know him? What would bring someone to that point? There are many stories floating around about the situation but one that seems to come up often is centered around a relationship and his feelings about himself. It really is just tragic and really makes me do a deep evaluation of my own life.

I can’t think of any better way to look at these issues than the way our next artist has. V. Rose is a young woman from Sacramento California, with a strong voice and crossover appeal. I had the opportunity recently to spend some time with V. Rose and was so impressed by her dedication and talent. The song we will take a look at is from her latest record and it is called “Not So Average”. I asked her about this song and here is the background she gave:

“The song was actually written for a friend of mine. I would listen to her and how she was wanting so bad to be like people from school. She wanted to be popular and accepted. To the point where she would actually count how many friends she had. When I was her age I could have really used someone telling me that I was perfect just the way I was. The way God made me was exactly what he wanted me to be. In turn I wrote her this song especially for her. This opened up a conversation between us and she even took it to school to try to show others that they are perfect the way they are”.

That is an absolutely the point that we all need to understand. Let’s take a look at her track. V.Rose "Not so Average":

Who made up the rules of how you got to be
Picture-perfect everything, so magazine
I mean, I’m stuck in a world where I can’t just be me

So what if my nail polish always chips
So what if I prefer to where my kicks
You know, models aren’t really models when they’re not modeling

Why don’t you tell me something
Cuz what I’m really wondering
Is how long do you expect to be following
Trying to be a star like them
It’s not the way you’re gonna win, always trying to fit in

So what if I don’t got everything they have
I’m the prettiest, you can ask my dad (go ask him)
Cuz I’m not gonna spend my life chasing that

So what if I’m not a cheerleader and
So what if you don’t even like my band (so what)
I’m gonna be happy with whose I am

So let me tell you something
You’re more beautiful than them (than them)
Cuz who you have inside of you is part of Him
And trying to be a star like them
Is not the way you’re going to win
Stop trying to fit in

I’m just your average, not-so-average girl
The only way to shine like a star
Is to realize whose you are
You were created to go far
Baby, doesn’t matter what you look like
If you have Jesus on the inside
Cuz everything that you need, in your life
Ay, ay, ay, ay

That is really a great track. I love “You know, models aren’t really models when they’re not modeling”. That is so true. There are so many verses in the Bible that describe how perfect we are in God’s eyes but let’s take three points to look at.

1. You are perfect in God’s eyes. In Psalm 139:13-14 it says “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” During our interview V. Rose said that in this verse it shows that he took his time with us. He doesn’t mass produce us. We are all special in our own way.

2. God bought you for a price. 1 Corinthians 6:20 says “for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body”. Show his love for you through you. Understand that his love is unconditional. Be yourself.

3. The inside is what counts. The outside is merely a shell. Beauty is so much deeper than skin deep. In Matthew 7:20 is says that “Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them”. Your beauty is given by God and you can see that in people that have him. Let your fruit define your beauty.

Chad Horton has co-owned and operated Rapzilla.com with Philip Rood since 2010, bringing with him a decade of music business experience. Horton is also the Director of Marketing for Syntax Creative, the largest independent digital distributor of Christian & Gospel music, among other genres. Originally from Northern California, Horton rooted himself in San Diego with his wife of nine years, as well as two beautiful daughters.